442 



COLEOPTEEA. 



Fig. 388. 



tant from each other ; the thorax is punctured and pubescent^ 

 tlie middle coxfe slightly separate, "svhile the abdomen is nar- 

 rowed at the tips. Fig. 387 represents the larva of this or a 

 closely allied genus found in a humble bee's nest. Philontlius 

 differs in having the femora unarmed. The species 

 li\'e in decaying matters and excrement. The spe- 

 cies of Pmderus (Fig. 388, the larva of the European 

 P. tempestivus Erichs.) are found under stones, etc., 

 near water. 



In Stenus, of which S. stygicus Say and ^S". Jinw 

 Fabr. are types, the eyes are large and prominent, so 

 that the head resembles that of Cicindela and the 

 antennae are inserted upon the front between the 

 eyes ; the labrum is entire and rounded anteriorly, the para- 

 glossae are dilated, rounded, and the body is coarsely punctured, 

 while that of its nearest ally Dianous is finel}^ punctured and 

 r the paraglossiB are connate and indistinct. 

 /^ J Another small group of genera is repre- 

 sented by Oxt/porns, which is found in fungi, 

 and which has a large head, with 

 large long mandibles crossing each 



I/t:'''\ X'-.K iP^/y other, and five-jointed tarsi ; and 



/[■/ /■•••:•■ |\ !'' I Oxytdiis which is found in wet 



places and in dung, and has three- 

 "• jointed tarsi, with a row of spines 

 on the front tibiiie, and the middle coxae 

 separated. 



Antho'phagus cmsns?, Harris Correspond- 

 ence (Fig. 389 ; a, maxilla), is found in wet ground where 

 speai*mint grows, of which it diffuses a strong odor. 



In Omalium the antennae are inserted under the lateral mar- 

 gin of the front, the elytra are long, and the tibiae finely- spi- 

 nous. 3Iicralymma is closely allied, but differs in the elytra 

 being very short. The genus Microx)ej)lus is squarish in form 

 and connects the present family with the one following. 



389. 



Hif^TERiD.E Leach. As stated by Leconte, "this is a very 

 well defined family of insects, moderately numerous, nearly all 

 of a shining black color, with the elytra variously sculptured 



